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Triton
04-21-2006, 10:01 AM
Brandon, Manitoba -- The Central Scouting Bureau's final rankings have been released in preparation for the 2006 National Hockey League Entry Draft and Brandon Wheat Kings' center Codey Burki has moved up.

An 18-year old Winnipeg product, Burki has moved from 26th in the mid-term rankings to 18th overall among all North American skaters.

Chosen the Most Valuable Player at this year's Canadian Hockey League Top Prospects Game in Ottawa, Burki led the Wheat Kings in scoring this past season with 27 goals and 61 points in seventy games. In six playoff games, the former first round bantam draft pick of the Wheat Kings had three assists.

Burki is one of over one hundred players expected to participate in four days of testing and interviews at the NHL's annual pre-draft combine in Toronto next month.

American defenceman Erk Johnson vaulted past Minnesota Gopher Phil Kessel to grab the number one spot in the final rankings. Kessel meanwhile dropped to fifth. Rounding out the top five - Jordan Staal of the Ontario Hockey League's Peterborough Petes was second, followed by Winnipeg's Jonathan Toews (North Dakota) and Drummndville's Derick Brassard.

The top ranked Western Hockey Leaguer was Peter Mueller of the Everett Silvertips at number six.

Brandon's Ryan White, who is coming off a solid sophomore season with the Calgary Hitmen, is the top ranked local product - sitting at 27th in the final draft rankings. In thirteen playoff games with the Hitmen this spring, the 6'1" 200 lb White had three goals and seven points while finishing tied for the team lead in scoring with 20 goals and 53 points during the regular season.

The NHL Entry draft is set for June 24th in Vancouver.